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Opinions on page 2
AU Saxons are heading into basketball season. Meet the new men’s basketball coach, Dale Wellman.
Sports on back page
The student newspaper of Alfred University
www.thefi atlux.com
Vol. 103, No. 4 November 3, 2008
Halloween photos!
www.thefi atlux.com
The biggest blockbuster of the summer, The Dark Knight, is coming to Nevins Theater Nov. 14 and 16. Check out the review in the A&E section.
A&E on pages 6-7
Observatory builder Stull returns to AU
Student
representatives report on
Trustees meeting at
Student Senate
AU is ‘Passionately Pink for the Cure’ to fight breast cancer
By Sam Urann
Features and Opinions Editor
The Trustee Report, which encompasses details about student enrollment, alumni relations, fundraising, fi nance, academic affairs and student affairs, was delivered to Student Senate on Oct. 29.
President Nate Kisselburgh and a few select students were allowed to observe the Board of Trustees’
fall meeting on Oct. 16 in order to provide input as representatives of the student body.
Enrollment management was the initial issue covered. On the whole, new student enrollment is down, with approximately 70 percent retention. The Inamori School of Engineering increased enrollment by 10 percent, while the College of Liberal Arts & Science decreased.
There is an 80 percent show- rate for perspective students to come and see the campus, which
By Sharifa Barrow Distribution Manager
When former Professor of Physics Robert Holtszapple’s replacement was unable to teach this semester, Professor of Physics Dave Toot casu- ally asked AU Emeritus John Stull, 78, if he would be interested in teach- ing. His answer: “Yes.”
This semester, the six-foot-fi ve- inch man known for his ability to kick the top of a doorframe is back, teaching “Introduction to General Physics.”
Originally from Hornell, Stull has lived in the Alfred area all his life.
Stull began his college career at the University of Rochester. He said the newfound freedom of college life proved to be too much for him, and he fl unked out after one term.
However, the experience was not a complete loss, he said. While a stu- dent at the University of Rochester, he met his wife Paula.
After leaving the U of R, Stull enrolled at Alfred University, where he studied ceramics and glass sci- ence. He continued his education at Alfred until he graduated in 1958 with a doctoral degree in ceramics.
In the early 1960s Stull taught his fi rst course, “Introductory Astronomy and Physics.”
In 1992, Stull offi cially retired
PHOTO PROVIDED
Over 100 people gathered Oct. 30 to show off their pink side on Merrill Field, spelling out the letters AU. The photo was taken as one of the many events for AU Pink Day, a day of events organized by the Breast Cancer Awareness Committee.
By Megan Veon Contributing Writer
On October 29, AU students and faculty turned pink for breast cancer awareness. The campus celebrated breast cancer awareness as students dressed in pink, had their nails paint- ed in Powell, carved pink pump- kins, and stood out on the football fi eld and waved up at cameras. The freezing weather was no match for the campus’s pink spirit, although it might have contributed to the pink cheeks on everyone’s faces.
The Breast Cancer Awareness Committee at Alfred wanted to celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month by holding a day to raise awareness towards the end of the month without interfering with Halloween. On AU Pink Day, many students and faculty members wore T-shirts designed by co-chair of the Breast Cancer Awareness Committee Jessica Marble and director of pub- lications Rick McLay. As a result, people fl ooded the campus with pink shirts that read, “Keep Second Base Safe.”
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PHOTO BY SHARIFA BARROW
Professor Emeritus John Stull returned to AU this se- mester after Professor of Physics Robert Holtszapple’s replacement was unable to teach. Stull is probably best known on campus for Stull Observatory.
November 3, 2008
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fi atlux@alfred.edu or mail letters to: Fiat Lux, attn: Editor, Powell Campus Center, Alfred, N.Y.
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After a long campaign, it’s almost over...
Editorial
By Tara Ramsey Contributing Writer
The last few months have seen a constant bombardment of political propaganda from all sides, leaving us feeling like 1950s heavy punching bags that were never taken out of commission and still reside in the most overly used gym in town.
No matter where we go, the endless din caused by the 24- hour media cranks is inescapable. Either Sarah Palin has caused another catastrophic hiccup on the campaign trail with a gaffe, or our shaky economy, which is supported by a sea of debt, has begun to infectiously spread around the globe in an epidemic of credit crisis.
As college students, when we’re not stressing under piles of assignments, we have the tyranny of our media clouding our judgments with snippets and sound bites, which make any rational thought nearly incomprehensible.
An Orwellian dystopia couldn’t do a better job of racking the senses and rendering citizens’ sniveling wrecks. This maelstrom is what we dwell on day in and day out.
This situation quickly becomes problematic because as students our work cannot be ignored. Yet as young adults, we cannot turn a blind eye to our ever-expanding world. The responsibility falls to us to take up the young generation’s burden by being active and attentive.
The issues of the future belong to us; perhaps it was our predecessors that brought on these diffi cult times, but that fact is now inconsequential. Hindsight is 20/20 and blame is the easiest diversion to utilize instead of actually solving a problem.
Our obligations as responsible citizens of the world have always existed, but they are especially pertinent now. Remember to step back, gain a new perspective and try to see the image in full.
When facing the onslaught of continuous work, we should remember Mark Twain’s quote, “Diligence is a good thing, but taking things easy is much more restful.”
All political affi liations aside, this nation appears to have generated enough ambition for change that no matter who takes the White house, the incumbents will be forced to take action. So take one last deep breath before the plunge into Election Day and happily keep in mind that whether your candidate wins or loses, the clouds are breaking on this proverbial storm.
There are times when I would like to grasp time, twist it around, and replace it with new curtains and fresh upholstery.
I know other people have the same sentiments, and the truth never ceases to haunt us: there is no rewind button. There are certain activities or tasks that aren’t recommended for start- ing late in life; gymnastics is one, and I wouldn’t advise going back to the third grade at this point. For most things, however, it’s better late than never.
This is my last year here at AU, and my goal from the fi rst week was to make it count. I’m not addressing aca- demics here, although I believe that you should always give them all of your effort. What I am addressing is life experiences. I’ve checked off items from my “things to do before I croak” list in just this semester alone, and I did it through the help of other students.
I’ll mention a few things that have improved my life at AU thus far this semester. I’m a little more than uneasy on wheels, unless it’s an automobile or a bicycle, but I learned the basics of skateboarding thanks to the AU Skate Division and a lad with a heap of patience. Being in better shape seemed a far-reaching goal, and I’m begin- ning a regular jogging routine with a kind friend and resi- dent. Like any resident assistant should, I’m emphasizing community and hoping to inspire ambition through my
presence and events. In addition to reinforcing the com- munity in my building, I am also staying involved in the local communities through community service with my fraternity, Alpha Phi Omega. As hard as it is sometimes, due to my hectic schedule, there is no better time to share as many laughs and smiles with my brothers and pledges than this year.
Not all of my goals are long-term, of course; I want to learn how to bake an apple pie from scratch, and I look for- ward to accomplishing my senior art show in December.
Don’t think that simply because it’s my fi fth and fi nal year I’ve warded off making new friends, because the complete opposite is true. As Samuel Johnson, a British lexicographer, once said, “Sir, I look upon every day to be lost in which I do not make a new acquaintance.”
It would be presumptuous of me to assume that other students aren’t doing the same thing. However, this mes- sage is for all of my comrades who aren’t. First-years and seniors alike, as well as everyone in between- please realize that it’s not too late to get involved, to learn some- thing new, and to meet new people. Some of us value our lives based on our accomplishments, and some value a life based on the people included in it. Use the resources available to you while you’re still a college student and not a part of the intimidating work force, or “real world,”
as it is so pretentiously called. We are not living in a “false world” simply because we are still being formally edu- cated. We need to reassess our goals and complete them while we have our hands on the “now” and throw the
“then” in the garbage to be picked up next Tuesday.
Better late than never: Get involved on campus
With the national attention absolutely fi xated on this his- toric presidential election, were you aware that congressmen and congresswomen too are asking for your vote? As the national tide seems to be washing to the left with Obama leading in the polls, there are several demo- cratic congressional nominees that want to be pulled in with the undertow and take solid, full control of Congress for the Democrats. In fact, one of these ‘key’ elections is happening in New York’s 29th district, which encompasses scenic Alfred, New York.
As some of you may recall, the AU Political Science Club hosted both Republican incumbent Randy Kuhl and Democratic contender Eric Massa last spring. Eric Massa visited Alfred this semester as well. It was after this sec- ond meeting with Eric Massa and his campaign manager Chris Blanda that I decided to be an active citizen and work for the Massa campaign canvassing in Hornell.
Voting canvassing is a simple and silly concept. You go door to door to the homes of people who you already assume are supporting the candidate based on previous door to door networking and party affi liations, and make sure that they still support the candidate, see if they want to help with the campaign and, most importantly, see if they’re going to go vote. You don’t convince people at this point in an election to choose the candidate; instead, you are now concerned with getting people who kind of like Massa off a couch for an hour and into a voting booth.
Now I must admit that I don’t really know all of
Massa’s policy points, or even agree with all the ones I do know; in fact, I can’t even vote for him because I’m not registered in this district. However, I do think Massa is the better candidate based on his stellar question-and- answer performance, as well as Kuhl’s refusal to debate Massa at AU. I will also promise you that you will never get more stories to tell than from a morning of canvass- ing; especially in the city of Hornell.
I rolled out of bed at the soul-crushing hour of 9:30 a.m. on a Sunday morning. With a splash of water on my face and sweater vest on my hung-over body, I hit the town ready to pump people full of the spirit of democ- racy. My beat was the east side of Hornell, a somewhat blighted area with a lot of character, to say the least. Now you have to remember when canvassing that people don’t like you. It’s not your fault; you are a stranger knocking at a door when they are trying to eat breakfast with their family or sort out the indiscretions from the night before.
People will be rude - a lot of them. However, when you do fi nd a person genuinely interested in what you have to say, it is extremely gratifying because you’re not just working for one man’s cause or one party’s idea; you’re working to recruit even strangers to take part in one of the most fundamental rights and duties as citizens.
So yes, I was glared at, ignored, almost run over, and nearly poisoned while on those mean streets. But the benefi ts far outweighed the cons. Political activism not only helps the candidate you support, but is extremely useful for networking, padding a resume and becoming more aware of the issues. As this election cycle comes to a close, remember that congress people are like cheap cars in the sense that they need constant help and you should consider getting a new one every few years.
There’s something Kuhl about Massa campaigning
By Joe Martin Contributing Writer
Buying organic food is worth the extra cost.
Organic farms use 37 percent less energy than conventional farms, and one acre of soil from an organic farm can pull 7,000 pounds of carbon dioxide from the air annually.
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Halloween costumes allow people of all ages to escape their everyday persona through the brilliance of their imagination. While a good costume can be an impressive display of a person’s creativity and intellect, a bad costume can expose a person’s ignorance and/or prejudices. While we would like to think our nation’s colleges promote brilliance, it is amazing how much stupidity exists.
Each year, college students are fea- tured in the news for making some inane choices regarding Halloween costumes. Students continually choose to paint their faces black in order to portray African-Americans, oblivious to minstrel shows’ painful place in American history. Students at other colleges demean Latinos by hosting immigration-themed parties with costumes of day laborers and house cleaners. Last year at Penn State a pink-robed “gay-KKK” cos- tume was “just fun and games.” And while using a noose as a Halloween costume prop may seem trivial, the association with both suicide and lynching is no joke.
Rather than trying to understand the significance of a costume, a defensive individual will claim they were “misunderstood” or that others
“took things too seriously.” Rather
than being labeled racist or homo- phobic, they plead ignorance. While costumes come off after Halloween, this mask of ignorance will remain as a mark on their character.
As we write this on Halloween day, we hope that Alfred University students are stronger and smarter than this type of ignorance. With cre- ative and critical minds, our students should feel comfortable confronting such costumes without fear of being outnumbered or feeling insignificant.
It is easy to uncomfortably laugh at something that you know is wrong, but it is truly heroic to speak up in opposition when nobody else does.
When you complete your time at Alfred, the University asks that you wear a cap and gown representative of the education you have received. If you have not challenged yourself to be fully educated and fight ignorance then you’re not wearing academic regalia - you’re just wearing another costume.
Dan Napolitano Director of Student Activities
Craig Arno Coordinator of Diversity Programming
Ignoramus: The year-round Halloween costume
Letter to the Editor:
Artist’s Note: It means shuffling past nuns on the street with ketchup in your palms, pretending you’re hiding stigmata
Humor
Dear Luxie:
Luxie answers YOUR questions about Life, School, and Stuff in General
Dear Luxie,
Why should I ask you anything? What qualifi- cations do you have? Surely I would be more qualified to figure things out in my own life than you are. Even my friends would probably be give better opinions than you would.
-A Skeptical Student
Dear A,
First of all, don’t call me Shirley.
You’re right; I’m probably not qualified.
Especially since this column is basically me providing my opinion as an unbiased third party (someone who doesn’t have a stake in the issue), because I am only a college student, and can’t do difficult things like recording my opin- ion about things like Life, School, and Stuff in General in a word processing document.
Anyway, why don’t you ask your friends? It’s not like they’ll only tell you what you want to
hear, or recommend things for personal gain, like how you should “stop dating that jerk boyfriend of yours,” which can be translated as “you don’t spend time with your bff’s any- more, and if you dump him, it’ll be just like old times again.”
Besides everyone knows that unbiased third parties’ opinions are just a waste of time.
-Luxie
Dear Luxie is written by Luxie Taif, and does not represent the opinions of the Fiat Lux as an organization, or its staff. Dear Luxie is a
(mostly) humorous column, providing a sar- castic view of questions sent in by YOU, the reader, and should probably not be taken seri- ously. And if you do take it seriously, you prob- ably don’t have the qualifications necessary to read it, so it isn’t even an issue. If you have a question for Luxie, you can email it to the Fiat Lux at fiatlux@alfred.edu with “Dear Luxie”
as the subject line or send it to the Fiat’s mail- box by addressing the envelope to:
Fiat Lux
Alfred University Yadda yadda yadda
November 3, 2008
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is an increase from last year. There was also positive feedback from a campus audit that shadowed a driving tour which took people down Main Street The trustees discussed the importance of having the new recreational facility that will replace Davis Gym to attract potential students.
The trustees explored alumni relations and fundraising for the University as well. Fundraising is down and monetary goals have not been met. The trustees provided a variety of reasons for why donations are down: this being an election year, the removal of Greek life from campus and the difficulty of gaining donations from newer
alumni who were members of the fraternities.
In terms of finance, the trustees approved a few costs. There will be an increase in both tuition and meal plan fees. The annual increase in room costs was reduced from 4 percent to 2 percent, and the student service fee was increased by 3 percent. There was a mention of how difficult it is to attract transfer students.
The trustees discussed finding financing for the renovations of Kruson and Ann’s House that must be raised by the end of the year. The possibility of increasing debt is a concern, although the university’s credit is a safety net.
The university’s line of credit has been increased in case of problems, although students were assured that this credit hadn’t been drawn upon since Sept. 2001.
On academic affairs the trustees noted that accreditation is on- track for all majors. Some trustees expressed apprehension about the Turkey and Korea programs, yet the both have proved profitable to AU. An M.E.R.S.S. survey was given to keep the salaries competitive so that “faculty and staff will not want to jump ship,”
Kisselburgh added.
Student affairs was the final topic released that the trustees discussed.
The mission statement of AU was
altered with minor changes. There was discussion of the Career Development Center, which now has statistics on what graduates are doing (this information is available to all students at the CDC). The trustees noted that the equestrian center is running in a more cost- efficient manner this year.
Kisselburgh brought to the trustees’ attention the bathroom conditions in Bartlett and the suites, along with the recent Internet problems. The concern for a new recreation facility was brought up, and the board agreed that Davis Gym would not be destroyed until plans and financing for a new facility are secure.
Kisselburgh would did not comment on an exact time frame, only that the university is simply trying to “minimize the gap”
between the tearing down of Davis and breaking ground on the new facility.
The Board of Trustees will be meeting with President Edmondson in February in New York City. Edmondson will then invite faculty, staff and students to an informational session on March 18 in Nevins Theater, Powell Campus Center.
at the age of 62, although he did not stop teaching for another three years.
Associate Professor of Astronomy David De Graff describes Stull as an “amazing guy” who helped him become a better teacher from the time he arrived at AU.
“He was a big influence on how I approached the classroom,” De Graff said. “He wanted to make sure the students were learning.”
Stull returned to the classroom after 13 years, for what he said would be the last time, when his department was one faculty member short.
Stull is known for being an innova- tor, according to colleague Professor
of Psychology Lou Lichtman.
“He seemed to be a school leader when I came in the early 1970s,” said Lichtman.
Although Stull has achieved many accomplishments, including advis- ing Lambda Chi Alpha and build- ing the Stull Observatory, inventing air hockey is not one of them. It is a popular belief that Stull invented air hockey.
If anything, he says he did the opposite, according to Toot and De Graff.
According to Stull, about 10 years before air hockey was created, Stull and his friend Frank Ferguson talked another friend, Paul Grindle, out of
making what could have become air hockey, saying that shoving two pucks back and forth would not be fun.
However, Stull did develop the Stull-Ealing Linear Air Track in the early 1960s. The air track is a machine that is used to help teach physics, and it uses the same tech- nology as an air hockey table.
Much of the money from the suc- cess of the air track went into AU’s observatory. The observatory, estab- lished in 1966 by Stull and AU, was given Stull’s name in 1993.
“I remember getting my first roy- alty check in 1966,” said Stull.
According to AU’s The History
of Astronomy at Alfred University,
“Every major telescope currently in use at our observatory was either built or substantially rebuilt by John Stull … His personal generosity has made the rest of the facility pos- sible.”
Toot added that without Stull, the observatory would have never been built. “He donated a lot of time and money.”
Stull is a perceptive man with the mind of an engineer, who see things in different ways than others and, at times, outthinks his colleagues, fel- low faculty members said.
“He’s an amazing guy who has an unusual way of looking at things,”
said DeGraff, with a smile.
He may be teaching for the first time in many years, but Stull has never left Alfred University. Stull said he has always had an office in the Science Center and up until last year he helped dismantle the Austin- Fellows telescope when it needed its mirror coated.
Lately he has been keeping records of various projects he has been involved with for future gen- erations.
“When you disappear, you ought to leave something behind that peo- ple will be interested in,” said Stull.
Alfred University first learned about the Breast Cancer Foundation through Brenda Porter, the direc- tor of Residence Life. A logo on Facebook.com sparked her interest.
Having experienced the devastation of breast cancer through her family members, she decided to help create and organize a committee to raise
breast cancer awareness on campus.
The co-chairs of Alfred University’s Breast Cancer Awareness Committee were Jessica Marble and Kevin Kostyk. Both stu- dents were asked by Brenda Porter to be co-chairs because Porter knew how passionate they are. Marble and Kostyk wanted to be a part of a com-
mittee that made a positive impact on Alfred University, and they found just what they were looking for.
The Breast Cancer Awareness Committee focused mainly on rais- ing awareness this year rather than raising money for the Susan G.
Komen Fund Passionately Pink for the Cure. Marble describes the goals
the committee made and successfully accomplished this year.
“We wanted to teach students to be aware of their bodies, learn how to practice self-checks every month, and learn what to do if they find a change in themselves. Fundraising goals were just icing on the cake;
they were not the main focus this
year. However, we appreciate all of the donations.” The committee did a great job and hope to make an even bigger impact on the campus next year.
Trustees...continued from front page
Stull...continued from front page
Pink...continued from front page
By Elizabeth Daniello Staff Writer
With the recent financial crisis looming in the minds of Americans, it’s a surprise that the 2008 presi- dential election isn’t being severe- ly impacted, Alfred University Professor of History Gary Ostrower told AU students and faculty at the Bergen Forum Oct. 30 in Nevins Theater.
“I am astounded that the com- ing election hasn’t been even more directly affected by the crisis,” said Ostrower.
The theater was packed full with over 240 people, filling every seat and most of the floor to hear Ostrower’s speech. Ostrower’s talk was sponsored by the Division of Human Studies and organized by AU Professors Emrys Westacott and William Dibrell.
Like presidential elections in the past, some political analysts have already decided the 2008 election.
However, Ostrower said that the polls have often proved incorrect, as was true in 1936, 1948 and 2004 when Ohioans, who were the decid- ing voters, did not vote according to
predictions.
“So we better not ignore our politi- cal or our economic history,” said Ostrower.
Ostrower pointed out that the current financial crisis is among the most serious in American his- tory. Financial “derivatives,” he said, along with a number of other financial instruments, have had a huge affect on how this economic crisis occurred. He mentioned that 20 years ago derivatives had an insignif- icant value and that currently they’ve reached over $530 trillion in value.
“Now do you understand why the
$700 billion bailout bill is just a drop in the bucket?” asked Ostrower.
Ostrower stressed that there are two main reasons for the unstable economy: globalization, and the fact that our economy is not anchored to anything solid. Since America is no longer a major agricultural or industrial society, our economy is increasingly tied to the prosperity of our financial sector. Debt, not the production of goods, now keeps the economy going. When that debt can’t be repaid, the economy becomes increasingly unstable, undermining confidence in the dollar.
Along with the ever-increas- ing national and personal debt of America, there are also substantial loans being given to people and busi- nesses with unacceptable credit. This has led to a vast increase in individu- als and businesses filing for bank- ruptcy--one every nine seconds in 2008. Ostrower warns that no matter who wins the 2008 election, bank- ruptcies will increase next year.
America has also fallen victim to relying on foreign countries for financial help. As mentioned before, globalization has helped to increase our economic instability, with China and Japan owning much of America‘s debt.
“We are no longer masters of our own economic fate,” said Ostrower.
In closing, Ostrower noted the importance of educating ourselves in respect to both political and eco- nomic news.
“Every student in this university knows the channel that carries Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert, but few of our students ever watch our best TV news carried by our two non-commercial channels, PBS and C-Span,” said Ostrower.
Bergren Forum: The cash and the vote
PHOTO BY DAVID LEMMO
Professor of History Gary Ostrower speaks about the 2008 presidential election at the Oct. 30 Bergren Forum.
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By Sam Urann
Features and Opinions Editor
Director of Student Financial Aid Earl E. Pierce spoke to Student Senate on the economic crisis and the effects on student financial aid on Oct. 22.
The recent economic crisis has caused continued distress on the local as well as national scale.
Students were expressing concern and Pierce was brought in as a representative of the Financial Aid Office at the request of the majority of the Senate.
The presidential election is rapidly approaching and Pierce
noted that regardless of which candidate is elected, he does not think student loans “will be on the chopping block.”
Pierce commented on the topic of tuition increase in the 2009-10 year at the request of a student. He explained that Alfred University tuition is expected to increase by 4-5% annually, as usual.
Pierce clarified that there is no reduction in funding currently scheduled for the 2009-10 year involving the Pell grant and SEOG. In federal loans, funding is in place for the 2009-10 year, while unsubsidized Stafford loans were increased.
The only specific area Pierce cited where loans may become more difficult is with PLUS loans. This is due to some lenders dropping out of the market while others are strengthening the credit requirements for parents. Credit requirements are strengthening with private loans, just like Sallie Mae and Citibank.
In terms of state financial aid, Pierce explained that the budget has not yet been produced, and therefore these are merely suggestions for TAP based on the fact that New York State derives a significant portion of its revenues from NYC. Pierce said
TAP (the NYS grant program) for 2009-10 may take a hit when the reallocating of the New York State budget takes place. Pierce proposed that the state will need to “spread the pain out;” causing budget cuts across the board.
In state funds, Pierce expects a reduction particularly for SUNY schools and the college of ceramics.
A student inquired as to how the Board of Trustees and other AU supporters have been affected by this crisis, to which Pierce responded: “We’ve all taken a 20- 25% hit in the last few months.”
Pierce noted that everyone has
their money in the same place and these economic pressures are mutual.
The financial aid office will be putting together a “recommended lender list” in order to aid students and parents, Pierce said. This list will be made up of private lenders.
The Student Financial Aid Office is located in Alumni Hall and is open 8:30 to 4:30 Monday through Friday. If any student has concerns about similar issues they should feel free to come voice them in open forum at Student Senate.
Pierce discusses economy at Student Senate
By Sam Urann
Features and Opinions Editor
An affective media that provides reliable coverage of the issues is crucial if our political system is to function, although today’s network news provides no such service, CNN’s two-time Emmy winner Mary Cardaras explained to an audience in Nevins Theater.
“I want to attempt tonight to connect the dots between television news, this election, money and democracy. And in the end I want to make an appeal to all of you:
also what I’m about to say about broadcast news, network news really pains me,” Cardaras said.
The lecture titled “The Presidential Election, Network News and Cold Hard Cash: Is Acting as Mad as Hell the Ticket?”
was delivered at 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 29 in Nevins Theater Powell Campus Center.
Cardaras is the Department Chair of Digital Media &
Communications (television, video, radio, cinema, performance and communication) for The New England Institute of Art, and has a career in journalism spanning nearly 30 years. She has freelanced for CNN Boston, Atlanta and London as well as worked for a variety of media outlets across the nation.
Cardaras built her career on a foundation of communication degrees, receiving a bachelor’s degree in Journalism & Psychology from Valparaiso, a master’s degree in Broadcast Journalism from Northwestern University and is a doctoral candidate in Public Policy and International Affairs with a specialization in the Press and Politics from Northeastern University.
Members of the AU community may remember Cardaras from her speech delivered last February on network bias in the coverage of
Senator Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. The speech focused on how the liberal media had an ethically questionable favoritism of Obama in their coverage, which shapes people’s perceptions and eventually votes.
Cardaras explained that despite her apprehension about using a Hollywood film as a talking point in her lecture, the film ‘Network’
written by Paddy Chayefsky , exemplifies aspects of we may be wary of in our own society.
Fictitious News anchor Howard Beale is caught on the wrong side of his network’s quest for ratings and on says on the air “I’m mad as hell, and I’m not going to take it anymore.”
Beale’s network has a system where bean counters, or businessmen, will mange the coverage of news and the why journalist’s produce their news casts, while attracting viewers in order to attract advertisers to sell network airtime, Cardaras explained.
Cardaras did clarify that these corporate entities running television today are not subscribing totally to the “Howard Beale playbook,” but continue to present stark similarities to the Networks’
shameless quest for ratings.
Journalist working in television should have our best interests at heart and serve the public, but instead have as an “operational framework and foundation to increase shareholder value,”
Cardaras said.
Television serves a purpose and has helped us throughout history by being a medium that can bring the world and catastrophic events straight into our living rooms, she reminded. Cardaras listed many of those occasions when television allowed us to bear witness to a monumental event: a president getting shot, a man walking on the moon, Mandela walking out of
prison, the Berlin Wall crumbling, the violence in Tiananmen Square, the Towers falling and Katrina ravaging New Orleans.
A conscious viewer must recognize that in a system driven by ratings, money is the cause of many of the faults, Cardaras explained. The first result is the labeling of those covered with nonobjective adjectives and descriptions such as charismatic, inspiring, crazy or off his rocker.
The second result Mary noted is the tendency for the networks to set up a spectacle regardless if it is ethical, or even newsworthy, as with what happened on CNN with McCain supporter James T. Harris.
The network pinned two African American men against each other since one’s political views apposed Obama while labeling it “black on black backlash.” Cardaras compared these stunts done by reporters to lions and their victims in the Coliseum of Rome.
The third problem generated by money is perpetuated by modern technology, Mary said.
She described how the internet and “the Wikipedia generation”
have caused an influx of cheap, accessible information. The only problem is that this causes a reduction in our ability to check credibility.
Cardaras laid out the fourth outcome of a money-driven, technologically supported business, is a class of underpaid, all-platform journalists, or A.J.P.s, who shoot, edit, write and report the news. Cardaras added that this allows for the head broadcasters to be untrained puppets; a vast difference from 25 or even 10 years ago.
She claimed that the field of journalism has crumbled due to
“soft news,” or entertainment stories; good journalism is bad business. Cardaras expressed her thoughts on how to view these
network media behemoths.
“It has become a bully, and bullies will only stop when they are challenged,” Cardaras said.
The importance of this election resonated throughout Cardaras’s lecture with the mentioning of numerous historic moments. This election has seen the candidacy of the first woman with a serious bid for the White House; presidential candidates have raised more money than any other time in history, including countless donations from ordinary citizens. Polls have shown unprecedented numbers of registered voters, and the outcome could produce the first bi-racial president of the United States.
“We all know that now although that issue (Iraq war)
seems to be on the back burner for most Americans because of our treacherous economy these days. Health care, education, the cost of living, our reputation in the world, climate change - this is a big election for all of us - it deserves - and I think we deserve - a careful, thoughtful, intelligent press,” Cardaras declared.
In closing, she urged the students to turn off the network news due to it having “lost much of its credibility” and instead rely on alternative sources. Cardaras also demanded that they take to the polls this Tuesday. Her finish echoed the words of the fictitious Howard Beale: “I’m as mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore.”
Former CNN correspondent Cardaras is
‘mad as hell’ about election coverage in the media
PHOTO BY THOMAS FLEMING
Former CNN correspondent Mary Cardaras spoke Oct. 29 about the election and her view on the mass media coverage of the election.
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Arts & Entertainment
FIAT RATINGS
Champion Meh Pleasing
Foul Ghastly
‘THE DARK KNIGHT:’ IMPRESSIVELY STUNNING
WHY SO SERIOUS?
By Leah Houk A&E Editor
‘The Dark Knight’ is not a movie one walks away from in high spirits. On the contrary, I stepped out of the theater with my stomach clenched and my teeth chattering. I can’t say with any conviction that I enjoyed the movie, but I was incredibly impressed, and I think every piece of the film came together master- fully in director Christopher Nolan’s hands.
What I enjoyed - or perhaps appreciated, in a shell-shocked sort of way - was how terrifically the movie gripped and held me hostage.
This is not your average ordinary superhero
flick. In fact, this is about as far as you can get from a comic book feel, despite the fact that our hero flies around Gotham City in a bat suit and the villain paints his face into the unsettlingly macabre likeness of a clown. The movie sucks you in from the beginning and refuses to allow you the level of distance from the characters that we’re accustomed to in a comic-turned- movie. This is a bleakly dark film, and the momentary chuckles the film elicits only serve to underscore, rather than relieve, the tension.
‘The Dark Knight’ is the sequel to Nolan’s
‘Batman Begins’ (2005), and Christian Bale returns as Bruce Wayne/Batman. Bale is charming and appropriately conflicted in his role as Gotham’s underappreciated hero.
Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine ooze class as scientific mastermind Lucius Fox and Bruce Wayne’s butler, Alfred, respectively.
Maggie Gyllenhaal sassily portrays Wayne’s love interest, assistant district attorney Rachel Dawes, who’s torn between Wayne and dis- trict attorney and devoted civil servant Harvey Dent, played by Aaron Eckhart.
Heath Ledger’s untimely death earlier this year certainly adds a measure of real-world angst to the sight of him in such a compelling- ly disturbing role as the Joker. Ledger plays a terrifying, fascinating villain. The sloppy cos- tume makeup accentuates his pitted, scarred face and yellowed teeth. He has no interest in power, women or money; he is a psychopath with the singular motive of creating chaos, and his M.O. is constructing elaborate, devastating ethical dilemmas for Batman and the citizens of Gotham. The Joker is no smooth-talking vil- lain; his speech has a nasal, disturbingly child- ish quality. He kills easily, sometimes with excitement and other times with nonchalance, and he cackles maniacally at his own pain.
Between mind-blowing action scenes and scenes of quieter, gripping psychological ten- sion, you won’t relax during this movie. It will stun you.
‘The Dark Knight’ will be shown in Nevins Theater Nov. 14 and 16.
Movie Review Pleasing and a half
(Left) Saturday, Oct. 25 at 8 p.m. Spectrum sponsored a live production of cult classic movie Rocky Horror Picture Show in Nevins Theater. (From left) Adam Brockway, Jessica Streisel, Emily Dowd, Jackie Matthews and Mykel Haney performed as the movie was projected behind them.
(Right) Mykel Haney looks fabulous.
Rocky Horror Picture Show
PHOTOS BY RACHAEL CONTRATA PHOTO PROVIDED
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STUDENT CHOICES Iron Man
Transformers The Shining
AUTV MOVIE SCHEDULE
STUDENT SENATE Leatherheads
STUDENT ACTIVITIES
BOARD Be Kind
Rewind
Society of Women Engineers August Rush
AUTV A Scanner
Darkly
FIAT LUX King of Kong:
A Fistful of Quarters
The schedule for the AUTV/Student Senate Movie Channel can be found at people.alfred.edu/~autv. Movie choices are subject to change. The survey for each month’s student-chosen movies will be available at my.alfred.edu. AUTV is on channel 3 on campus only. Questions and comments can be sent to autv@alfred.edu.
Zack make a porno and Miri
&
Tom writes a review
By Thomas Fleming Editor in Chief
Director Kevin Smith (‘Clerks,’ ‘Mallrats’) is like college pal who you would like to invite to your room, play video games with all night and compare ‘Star Wars’ movies. The biggest difference would probably be that he would tell you stories about Ben Affleck’s excursions at
‘Star Wars’ creator George Lucas’s house while filming ‘Jersey Girl,’ and how Lucas and fel- low director Stephen Spielberg compare Web sites and look at Victoria’s Secret photographs like two eager, adolescent boys.
This year at the CMJ Music Festival, a music industry and college radio event in New York City attended by Student Activities Board and WALF members, participants had the oppor- tunity to attend the Oct. 23 New York City premiere of ‘Zack and Miri Make a Porno.’
Smith then took questions at a post-screening question-and-answer forum.
Most of the questions Smith answered were along the lines of “Hey Kevin. I love your movies. What are you doing tonight? Can we hang out?” Smith’s typical response was along the lines of “I don’t know. Do you have any weed?”
Smith in person is just as raunchily funny as the characters he writes and directs. During the question-and-answer forum, which lasted over an hour, about one-third of the time was dedicated to Smith’s new love for marijuana, about another third to Smith’s daily bathroom rituals and the rest of the time Smith talked about both his experiences in the film industry directing hits such as ‘Clerks’ and ‘Mallrats’
and his upcoming movie projects.
Smith’s personal brand of dirty humor is apparent all the way through ‘Zack and Miri Make a Porno.’ You cannot watch a frame of the movie without hearing or seeing something raunchy. It’s almost as if Smith, at 38 years old, would still laugh hysterically if his teacher said the word ‘breast’ during biology class.
The movie, starring Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks, is about two roommates who find them- selves broke and miserable at the time of their 10-year high school reunion. After Zack has an interesting meeting with the significant other of one of his classmates and Miri becomes an Internet underwear star, Zack decides that the best solution for getting themselves out of debt and misery is to make a porno.
As visually raunchy as some scenes might be in the movie, most of the raunchiness lies in the dialog, making fluid use of and expand- ing on comedian George Carlin’s Seven Dirty Words. The movie aids the evolution (or devo- lution) by introducing it to a whole new lexicon
of dirty words and idiomatic expressions that invade your mind for the movie’s 102 minutes of runtime. In comparison to the amount of dirty language used, however, there was not much pornography. But when the movie does want to shock you visually, it does the job like a paid professional.
It almost seems as if the most offensive part of the movie might be the title, as some city officials in some cities would not let the word
‘porno’ appear on billboards, and commercials advertising the movie typically advertised it as simply ‘Zack and Miri.’
In the end, ‘Zack and Miri Make a Porno’
is a romantic comedy using a rather formulaic plot, but refreshing it by applying a completely ridiculous premise. It reminded me a bit of other Judd Apatow and Seth Rogen movies, especially ‘Knocked Up,’ but with Smith’s own geeky influences and attention to raun- chy detail.
‘Zack and Miri Make a Porno’ premiered Oct. 31 nationwide.
Movie Review Pleasing
PHOTO BY MIKE KUDRA PHOTOS PROVIDED
Kevin Smith speaks to a packed auditorium in the Regal Cinema at Union Square in Manhatten Oct. 23 after the New York City premiere of ‘Zack and Miri Make a Porno.’
November 3, 2008
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By Catherine Dillon Contributing Writer
Although AU alumna Enid Borden, President and CEO of Meals on Wheels of America, stands just under 5 feet tall, she taught AU stu- dents how to make their words rise above any shortcomings at a public speaking workshop at AU’s Women’s Leadership Center on Oct. 18.
“One of the most important parts of public speaking is to always com- mand the room,” she said. “You have to make yourself larger than life.”
After graduating from AU, Borden worked with many great communi- cators, including Bobby Kennedy, Allard Lowenstein, and former President Ronald Reagan, writing speeches and wearing many hats in their campaigns.
Borden’s workshop covered the
need-to-know basics of public speak- ing. She used her extensive knowl- edge of public speaking and some humorous anecdotes to make her points memorable.
She practiced what she preached at the workshop by keeping her advice concise and colorful.
She said that a great speaker knows what to say and is able to say it without droning on. She called this the “20-minute rule,” meaning the speaker has only 20-minutes to express his or her position before the audience stops listening.
She added that ignoring the 20- minute rule could lead to a speaker’s demise and offered an example of death by public speaking.
“William Henry Harrison’s inau- gural address in 1841 was 9,000 words long,” she said. “It took two hours to deliver, and it was freezing
that day. Harrison came down with pneumonia and died a month later.
The moral to the story is - have a good short speech, deliver it well and stay out of the cold.”
During the workshop, a few stu- dents said that when it came to deliv- ering speeches, they feared beginning and ending a speech the most.
Borden responded that beginning a speech is like “being a mosquito at a nudist camp: You know what you are supposed to do, but you just don’t know where to begin.”
As for concluding a speech, she said it is best to quickly summa- rize the main points, focus on one’s desired response and then leave the audience with a sense of closure.
“Tell (the audience) what you are going to tell them, tell them, and tell them what you told them.” Borden said.
Borden enthusiastically added,
“Then Relax! It’s over.”
Borden insists that everyone has the potential to be a great public speaker.
Borden’s tips for public speaking included:
-Always know a little bit about the audience you are speaking for, so that your language and examples are relevant to your audience.
-Be aware of your physical presen- tation. Keep your hands out of your pockets, and don’t fiddle with things or pace, because it will distract your audience.
-Relax your shoulders and roll your head around a few times before getting up to speak in order to loosen up.
-Keep your feet directly under- neath your hips and bend your knees just a little bit. This will help to keep
you from tensing up.
-Always number the pages of your speech, even if there are only a few of them.
-Always have an extra copy of your speech.
-Enunciate as clearly as possible, and change the inflection of your voice (no monotone).
-Make eye contact, but keep it very brief and keep your eyes mov- ing; prolonged eye contact can make people uncomfortable.
-A pause is one of the most vital tools you have when making a speech. When you pause, people will listen harder.
-If you have handouts, give them out at the end of your speech so that the audience focuses on what you’re saying instead of reading.
A public speaking workshop with Enid Borden
By Laura Reyome Copy Editor
As the last weeks of October drifted away with the leaves, and snow began to fall, rather than feeling the doom of the oncoming winter I grew more and more anxious for November. Why?
Well, November is National Novel Writing Month—more fondly referred to as NaNoWriMo.
What is National Novel Writing Month exactly? The name pretty much sums it up, but I’ll break it down.
NaNoWriMo is an international event in the month of November where all sorts of people take up the task of writing 50,000 words in the span of 30 days. Of course, these words should amount to novel of whatever the writer wishes to spend 30 days pounding out of their laptops, or scrawling madly on whatever they can find.
I have attempted for the past three years to take up this challenge and reach the Holy Grail of 50,000 words.
I have failed for three years. The first year I gave up after the first day. The second year I wrote a little something, forgot about it, and eventually trashed it. Last year I reached 12,000 words and gave up before the end of the month.
This year I and a handful of other students on campus (and some fac- ulty too!) are taking up the gauntlet of NaNoWriMo. Perhaps with the com- munity I will finally reach the mystic goal of 50,000 words, and hopefully I won’t be the only one out of the group to reach it (though I could easily be the only one not to reach it).
To get a head start to our writing, as the rest of campus was celebrated Halloween, our little community was holed up in Seidlin Hall celebrating the first day of November. Word counts were tallied every hour, coffee flowed freely, and at 3 a.m. we even had a mini Reggaeton dance party. While we tried to stay up all night writing, the lot of wild AU NaNoWriMo-ers was exhausted by five and wandered home to rest up for the rest of the month.
So, if you see any of your friends wandering campus aimlessly, mut- tering under their breath about some character or plot of theirs, please take pity on them (and their characters)—
buy them a cup of coffee or a bar of chocolate, or at the very least, remind them that they can do it and that you believe in them.
For more on NaNoWriMo visit the site: http://www.nanowrimo.org/
NaNoWriMo: So many words, so little time
On the morning of Oct. 30, Green Alfred members completed a trial waste audit. Garbage was collected from a variety of locations on cam- pus and the contents were analyzed. The information gathered will be used to prepare for a full waste audit in the coming weeks.
The goal of the upcoming full waste audit will be to get a true picture of the university’s waste stream in order to:
1) Demonstrate the need for a recycling program
2) Collect data that can be used in a cost-benefit analysis of trash versus recycling
3) Create awareness on campus 4) Gain support for recycling efforts
Once the waste audit is scheduled, Green Alfred will be looking for volunteer assistance and will invite everyone in the Alfred community to drop by to see the waste audit in action. Watch Alfred Today for an announcement.
Green Alfred completes trial waste audit to analyze campus waste
PHOTO BY LEAH HOUK
Students in the Writing Center in Seidlin Hall work hard into the first hours of Nov. 1 to reach their goal of writing 50,000 words in the month of November.
PHOTO BY ELLEN BAHR
(From left) Josh Forester and Green Alfred President Andrew Ivovich sort through trash for a trial waste audit. Green Alfred will prepare for a full waste audit in the coming weeks.
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Nicholas Dosch, a senior ceramic engineering major in the Kazuo Inamori School of Engineering, is this year’s winner of the John F.
McMahon Achievement Award for his outstanding performance during a cooperative experience working at ENrG Inc. in Buffalo, N.Y.
Dosch worked at ENrG, which develops and manufactures “high technology ceramic components for clean energy systems such as fuel cells, gas separation, and other membrane technologies,” from May to December, 2007.
“Mr. Dosch was a highly moti- vated and energetic part of the ENrG team, who readily took on responsi- bilities and sought to make a positive impact on the organization,” wrote Gregory Korbut, senior engineer, in nominating Dosch for the award.
According to Korbut, Dosch
“demonstrated a good understand- ing of ceramic processing principles, executing standard processes and documenting results and data in an orderly manner.” But beyond that, Dosch also “proposed and imple- mented dispersion improvements in one oxide coating program, justifying the changes through a sound knowl- edge of basic colloidal processing in
conjunction with appropriate litera- ture surveys on the subject.”
Dosch also contributed to new process development, and some of his proposed changes are being implemented by ENrG to improve product quality.
“This is exactly the kind of cooper- ative experience we want our students to have,” said Dr. Alastair Cormack, dean of the School of Engineering.
“We prepare our students to enter the job market ready to make a contribu- tion to their employers, and Nick did just that. He demonstrated he had the knowledge and the skills to make a difference immediately, which is pretty good for a student who was a junior at the time.”
The McMahon Achievement Award is presented each year to the engineering student who has the most outstanding recommendations from his or her co-op employer.
McMahon, who was dean of the New York State College of Ceramics from 1949 to 1965, and was affiliated with the school for more than 60 years, strengthened ties with industry.
A graduate of Alfred-Almond Central School, Dosch is the son of Dr. Nancy Evangelista and Joseph Dosch of Alfred.
The Kazuo Inamori School of Engineering at Alfred University offers majors in biomedical materials engineering science, ceramic engi- neering, glass science engineering
and materials science, all of which are part of the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University, as well as in electrical engineering and mechanical engineering.
For more information: http://engi- neering.alfred.edu.
Alfred University engineering student cited for achievements during co-op assignment
PHOTO PROVIDED
A student production of “The Contrast,” an American Revolution- era comedy, will be presented Nov.
12 through Nov. 15 at 8 p.m. in the C.D. Smith III Theatre, Miller Performing Arts Center on the Alfred University campus.
General admission tickets are $5.
AU student admission is $1. Area students will pay $3. Reservations are recommended and may be made by calling 607.871.2828 or by e- mailing performs@alfred.edu.
The production is sponsored by the
Division of Performing Arts, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.
“The Contrast” is a comedy of manners which compares the mate- rialism, greed, snobbery and affecta- tions of English pretenders with the genuine and original American ideas of liberty, equality and the pursuit of happiness. The play was written by Royall Tyler and was first performed in 1787, making it older than the US Constitution and reputedly the first play written by an American that was performed by professional actors.
Becky Prophet, professor of the- ater, will direct the performances.
She received a bachelor of arts degree in English from Alfred University and continued her education at the University of Michigan where she received both master’s and doctoral degrees. Prophet has spent nearly three decades teaching and work- ing in theater. Before her return to Alfred, she acted, directed and taught in Massachusetts, Michigan, Wisconsin and Atlanta.
“The Contrast” will be illuminat-
ed by a lighting design created by Marketa Fantova, assistant profes- sor of theater design. Jamie Walsh, a senior theater major from Cape Elizabeth, Maine, is designing the costumes. Senior Reesa Martin, a theater/political science major from Cazenovia, NY, is designing scen- ery. Senior Sharee Allen, a fine arts major from Cincinnati, is creating the sound design.
Stage managing will be provided by students Zhenia Bemko, a fresh- man political science major from
Cranford, N.J.; Michelle Courter, a junior geology major from Centereach, N.Y.; and Veronique Hart-Saxton, a senior fine arts major from Wayland, N.Y. Deb MacCrea, AU costume shop manager, will provide costume construction and management, while Zach Hamm, technical director, Performing Arts, is providing technical direction.
Nancy Freelove, academic division secretary, is offering box office and clerical support.
Alfred University Performing Arts presents Revolution-era comedy ‘The Contrast’
Last spring’s Hot Dog Day 2008 raised $8,800 which was recently distributed equally to eight Allegany County charities.
The annual event, organized by Alfred University and Alfred State
College, traditionally features rides, hot dogs, arts and crafts, and an ice- cream bash at the Alfred Fire Hall, with all proceeds going to in-county charities. This year’s recipients, each receiving $1,100, are: AE Crandall
Hook and Ladder Co., Alfred;
Alfred Box of Books Library; Alfred Montessori School; Alfred Station Fire Co.; Allegany County Chapter of the American Red Cross; Allegany County Mental Health Association;
Backpack Buddies of Alfred State College; and the Genesee Valley Habitat for Humanity.
Patricia Debertolis, director of new student programs at Alfred University, explained that a student
executive board, made up of AU and ASC students, chooses the beneficia- ries of the Hot Dog Day proceeds.
Eight Allegany County charities share Hot Dog Day 2008 proceeds
By Laura Reyome Copy Editor
Canadian author Charles de Lint is the King of Urban Fantasy. Think fairies, artists, coffee shops-- mix it all up and you’ve pretty much got the idea.
Newford is the center of this urban fantasy in de Lint’s novels. This is a city where fairies hold court in the mall; where a man who is half-dog and half-crow called Joe Crazy Dog
is your best friend; and where the two craziest girls you’ll ever meet, the Crow Girls, will come at the call of their names.
Despite this fanciful description, there is nothing kind or sweet about de Lint’s world. Jilly is a woman who spent her childhood abused by her brother, the fairies and the “animal people” hate each other, and every- one has a dark secret. However, de Lint’s world is about redemption and a greater spiritual connection that
holds everyone together. You might not get a happily ever after, but you are assured to learn more about your- self through his words.
“Widdershins” brings the reader back to Newford, where Broken Girl Jilly Coppercorn is trying to get on with her life after the events in
“Onion Girl” (another novel of de Lint’s which I would highly recom- mend).
This novel is a funny, dark, roman- tic, fantastic adventure for the char-
acters and the reader.
“Widdershins” is about going backwards, which is often the way into the fairy world. Jilly finds herself having to face her abusive brother Del, and also step up to the romance she and her best friend, Geordie Riddell, have been skirting around for ages.
While Jilly is discovering her own strength, the “animal people”--the old magical spirits of North America-- and fairy folk are at war over the kill-
ing of a deer woman, Anwatan, by renegade Bogans (Australian slang for “white trash”).
I won’t tell you what happens in the end, but it’s the closest I have seen de Lint come to a happily ever after.
